I Can Genpu, You Can Too!

[Solarsurge]

Hello, Everyone!

I am a two-time Mazdaspeed 3 owner (2007 Traded In, 2013 Current Car). I loved my first one so much, I got another. Also, my first non-POS car was a 1993 Mazda MX-3 I picked up used and beat the hell out of for over 100,000 miles. I have been a huge Mazda fan since I drove a RX-7 in Gran Turismo for PSOne back in 1997. Since then, I have always dreamed of building a race car.

After I crossed over the 60,000 mile mark on my Genpu, I decided to have a little modding fun since it was out of warranty. That idea has gone from 0-100 real quick. I realized this is an opportunity to finally make my dream come true. This will be a long-term project involving a crap ton of money and a lot of blood, sweat and tears. The process itself will be the reward, and even if I blow the MF'er up, at least it'll be fun.

Since the project is ongoing, I will start here by dropping "the list" of already installed/purchased mods and I will update this thread with pictures and changes to my design. Feel free to chime in whenever. I want to learn the wisdom of the elders and gain from your experience.

As of 8/3/18...

Current Power Parts:
Cobb AP v3
Corksport HPFP Internals
JBR Tru-3.5 Wide Path Aluminum Intake
JBR Bypass Valve Hose
BNR S4 v2 Turbo
cp-e Delta Core FMIC Kit
Corksport MZR BPV
Custom PnP IM w/VTCS Delete
cp-e Block'd EGR Delete
Cobb Gen2 3" SS Turbo Back Exhaust
Corksport OCC
Grimmspeed 3-Port EBCS
Bosch 3-Bar MAP Sensor
JBR Plug-n-Play MAP Harness
JBR Methanol Injection Spacer
JBR Intake & Throttle TIGs
NGK 6510 Spark Plugs (.025" Gap)

Current Stability Parts:
KW v3 Coilovers
JBR Tru-Torsion.125 Front Adjustable Sway Bar
JBR Tru-Torsion.125 Rear Adjustable Sway Bar
JBR Tru-Torsion 1.25" Billet Sway Bar Bushing Brackets
SPC Rear Camber Arms
Moog Front & Rear End Links
Corksport Mid-Chassis Brace
Corksport Shifter Bushings
cp-e xFlex Stage 2 RMM
Stoptech Slotted & Crossdrilled Sport Brake Kit
Stoptech Steel Braided Brake Lines
Michelin Pilot Sport 3+ A/S Rubbers

Current Curb Appeal:
OPT7 LED Headlights/Fogs
Corksport LED Light Kit
Window Tint (35%)
BaysonR Front & Rear Lip Spoilers
Garage Vary Open Mouth Grill

Upcoming Good Stuff:
Manley Platinum Series 87.5mm Pistons w/.210" Wall Pins
Manley H-Tuff Plus Rods w/625+ Bolts
King pMax Tri-Metal Main & Rod Bearings
ARP L19 Head Studs & ARP Main Studs
JBR BSD & Oil Pan Baffle
Precision Balanced Rotating Assembly
Custom Supertech Valvetrain
Custom Head Porting
Custom Transmission Work (TBA)
JMF v2 PI Intake Manifold
Full Race Ceramic Coated Turbo Manifold
Custom Fuel System w/Full Port Injection & Methanol (cooling only)
Corksport Injector Seals
DM PCV Plate & Dual OCC Setup
South Bend Stage 3 Endurance Clutch
Full Poly Suspension Bushings
cp-e 75 Duro PMM & TMM
Custom Body/Aero Parts
And likely more...

-Jason

[Shwaykid]

[Solarsurge]

Originally Posted by Shwaykid

More than that, haha...I'm already up to $5500

[Solarsurge]

My baby, as a virgin, with 3 miles on the odometer.

[WetzMS3]

[Djohns]

How bad is your paint you need to repaint?

[iguardflorida]

Originally Posted by Solarsurge My baby, as a virgin, with 3 miles on the odometer.

love my silver '13, don't you dare change the color!

[Solarsurge]

Originally Posted by Djohns How bad is your paint you need to repaint?

Back in 2014, the car took about $7,000 in hail damage and insurance only paid for it to be partially repainted. Needless to say, I wish I had the whole thing repainted completely because it's starting to flake in a few spots. It's not bad at all, it just irks me.

[Solarsurge]

Some photos of the OPT7 LED headlight set. 6K Brightness. These things are amazing. Also, pre-mod shot for build diary.

[WetzMS3]

Awe man, I don't Genpu right.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Thepedigree13]

Well, good for you.

Btw there are no sexier wheels then the 13 PU wheels.

Stage 2 ftw. At this rate you will be stage 3 in no time.

^Sarcasm

Welcome.

[Solarsurge]

Originally Posted by Thepedigree13 Well, good for you. Btw there are no sexier wheels then the 13 PU wheels. Stage 2 ftw. At this rate you will be stage 3 in no time. Welcome.

I agree the stock wheels are sexy as hell, but they are also 24.6 lbs each. I could shed quite a lot of unsprung weight and rotational mass by going with considerably lighter wheels. Trouble is, I just can't find any that aren't ugly.

[anavrinIV]

Originally Posted by Solarsurge I agree the stock wheels are sexy as hell, but they are also 24.6 lbs each. I could shed quite a lot of unsprung weight and rotational mass by going with considerably lighter wheels. Trouble is, I just can't find any that aren't ugly.

Get some black RPF1s and wrap them in 245/45 ZII star specs

[ejb2112]

Keeping Corksport in business, I see. I love their products, and their customer service.

[mize13]

Originally Posted by anavrinIV Get some black RPF1s and wrap them in 245/45 ZII star specs

Cut that shit out.

[Solarsurge]

Originally Posted by anavrinIV Get some black RPF1s and wrap them in 245/45 ZII star specs

I was thinking more along the lines of GTC01RR

[anavrinIV]

Originally Posted by Solarsurge I was thinking more along the lines of GTC01RR

LOL $600/wheel for enkeis? No thanks. And heavier than my 17x9 C3s that cost under $600 total.

[Solarsurge]

Originally Posted by anavrinIV LOL $600/wheel for enkeis? No thanks. And heavier than my 17x9 C3s that cost under $600 total.

The 18x8.5 is only 19 lbs, but they are expensive. I have more important things to buy at the moment. If they were $200 a wheel they would be on already.

[aackthpt]

Do you have an ultimate goal of some sort, or is this just "replace everything I can with aftermarket"?

[Solarsurge]

Originally Posted by aackthpt Do you have an ultimate goal of some sort, or is this just "replace everything I can with aftermarket"?

Yes, I have goals. Both short-term and long-term. I want to build a better Mazdaspeed 3 and have ridiculous amounts of fun playing with it. If I choose to rebuild the whole car, it's my money and my prerogative. Even the glove box light bulb. Why? Because I can.

[WetzMS3]

Originally Posted by Solarsurge Yes, I have goals. Both short-term and long-term. I want to build a better Mazdaspeed 3 and have ridiculous amounts of fun playing with it. If I choose to rebuild the whole car, it's my money and my prerogative. Even the glove box light bulb. Why? Because I can.

When did LEDs become a bolt on?

When did bolt ons become a build?

When did putting an LED in the glovebox become rebuilding the car?

When did the chicken come, before or after the egg?

[Solarsurge]

Originally Posted by WetzMS3 When did LEDs become a bolt on? When did bolt ons become a build? When did putting an LED in the glovebox become rebuilding the car? When did the chicken come, before or after the egg?

My final product will answer your questions, I suppose. Have to start somewhere. What was your first mod? Is yours a build now?

[JakeMS3]

I'm about to replace my cabin air filter and switch out a busted dome light...




Maybe I should start a build thread???

[WetzMS3]

Originally Posted by Solarsurge My final product will answer your questions, I suppose. Have to start somewhere. What was your first mod? Is yours a build now?

My first mod was AT internals and an intake.

I have a build thread on here somewhere. Enjoy the read if you want.

I do not have any LEDs, so I suppose my car is not built yet.

[Djohns]

Originally Posted by WetzMS3 My first mod was AT internals and an intake. I have a build thread on here somewhere. Enjoy the read if you want. I do not have any LEDs, so I suppose my car is not built yet.

Do HID lights count? If so, I suppose I'm built and won't be needing your helping hand anymore for my shortblock.

[WetzMS3]

Originally Posted by Djohns Do HID lights count? If so, I suppose I'm built and won't be needing your helping hand anymore for my shortblock.

Apparently the game has changed and in fact HIDs and LEDs mean you are built. Do you have LEDs yet? Want to help each other install some so we can be fully bolted and make build threads?

[Djohns]

Originally Posted by WetzMS3 Apparently the game has changed and in fact HIDs and LEDs mean you are built. Do you have LEDs yet? Want to help each other install some so we can be fully bolted and make build threads?

Most definitely. We'll arrange an install day because it's a bit of a daunting task.

[aackthpt]

Originally Posted by Solarsurge Yes, I have goals. Both short-term and long-term. I want to build a better Mazdaspeed 3 and have ridiculous amounts of fun playing with it. If I choose to rebuild the whole car, it's my money and my prerogative. Even the glove box light bulb. Why? Because I can.

We all want to have fun. We all want to improve our car, presumably. The question is what do you think improvement is? Some think a JBR 86.97 duro mount trilogy is an improvement, some think it sucks. None of this makes any of it goals in any way that make any sense or have meaning to someone else.

And yes, of course it is your prerogative. It's your car, and your cash. None of this means you have goals. You say you want to build a racecar but do you race? It sure looks like you are in for maximum rice, but you want to build your engine in the future which doesn't make sense.

Your goals, which you so far claim you have but refuse to enumerate in any meaningful way, will have a lot to do with if others have any interest. Otherwise, unless we know you in person, it's just somebody talking about how much shit they have switched on their car and not even explaining why they chose one thing over others or how the things fit together to make the car the way they want or what. Yawn.

Originally Posted by WetzMS3 When did the chicken come, before or after the egg?

Actually that's easy to answer. The egg came before the chicken. That's because chickens descended from reptiles who were laying eggs for millennia before the chicken came along.

Back to OP, what oil do you run? What filter?

[Thepedigree13]

I guess I will never be fully built. Too cheap to buy the tech package, and my factory halogens work fine so no chinese HID kit for me.

But since I did a coolant bypass does that mean I am stage 4, or does the fact I have factory down pipe forever keep me in stage 1. These are the real questions we have to ask ourselves.

[Solarsurge]

I suppose my "race car" comment may not have been taken as the sarcasm it was meant to be. I realize I'm new here, so I'll elaborate...

Goal: USTCC compliant touring car (while on stock turbo) for autocross and track
Long-Term Goal: Rebuild for NASA PT class competition

As for my oil, I use Pennzoil Platinum 5w40 Synthetic and Purolator Pure One filter

[aackthpt]

Originally Posted by Solarsurge I suppose my "race car" comment may not have been taken as the sarcasm it was meant to be. I realize I'm new here, so I'll elaborate... Goal: USTCC compliant touring car (while on stock turbo) for autocross and track Long-Term Goal: Rebuild for NASA PT class competition As for my oil, I use Pennzoil Platinum 5w40 Synthetic and Purolator Pure One filter

Can you link me up to moar info on those rulesets? Because that is actually interesting, I'd like to hear more about that.

Why do you run 40-weight? I thought 30-weight was factory on gen2 and lots of ppl run 40 because that's all you can get in the Rotella. Did your turbo smoke or are you just trying to ward it off? I run 5w30 and haven't had a problem, but I'm keeping the factory downpipe to ward it off. Speaking of which, I see an exhaust in your mod list but not a downpipe or test pipe/race pipe - are you planning to do either of those?

[Solarsurge]

Originally Posted by aackthpt Can you link me up to moar info on those rulesets? Because that is actually interesting, I'd like to hear more about that. Why do you run 40-weight? I thought 30-weight was factory on gen2 and lots of ppl run 40 because that's all you can get in the Rotella. Did your turbo smoke or are you just trying to ward it off? I run 5w30 and haven't had a problem, but I'm keeping the factory downpipe to ward it off. Speaking of which, I see an exhaust in your mod list but not a downpipe or test pipe/race pipe - are you planning to do either of those?

USTCC Rules
Basically, at 3200 lbs it's capped around 350HP and stock turbo/housing only.

NASA PT Rules
Here, just about anything goes. The more you upgrade, the more you move up in class.

As for the switch to 5w40, I was running 5w30 bone stock until I crossed over 60,000 miles. I just switched oils specifically due to the upgrades I'm doing this week.

[anavrinIV]

Originally Posted by aackthpt Can you link me up to moar info on those rulesets? Because that is actually interesting, I'd like to hear more about that. Why do you run 40-weight? I thought 30-weight was factory on gen2 and lots of ppl run 40 because that's all you can get in the Rotella. Did your turbo smoke or are you just trying to ward it off? I run 5w30 and haven't had a problem, but I'm keeping the factory downpipe to ward it off. Speaking of which, I see an exhaust in your mod list but not a downpipe or test pipe/race pipe - are you planning to do either of those?

Mod list says cobb turboback.

So when is the cage going in?

[Solarsurge]

Originally Posted by anavrinIV Mod list says cobb turboback. So when is the cage going in?

Gotta crawl before I walk haha. Only need roll cage for USTCC racing. SCCA Autocross/Track doesn't require it. I'll cage it when I'm ready. I've done my homework and I am prepared to go as far as my car and my driving skill take me.

[mize13]

EL. OH. EL.

[Solarsurge]

Originally Posted by mize13 EL. OH. EL.

Laugh all you want, brother. It's just motivation to me.

[aackthpt]

Originally Posted by anavrinIV Mod list says cobb turboback.

TY. Durr.

[Solarsurge]

The first arrivals!

[Solarsurge]

Not able to do much in the Thunderstorm today, but I did get my shifter bushings in.

Next up, HPFP... (As soon as I can get to a bench vise)

[Solarsurge]

Had a day that was both productive AND destructive today. Tore apart the engine bay, got my HPFP internals done and attempted to install my intake. Ran into some snags, so I guess I'll mention them so others can learn from my experience.

Issue #1 -- HPFP:
The instructions for the internals call for a 18mm deep socket. Just to clarify for anyone who has not done this yet, Kobalt seems to be the winner. I tried THREE different 18mm deep sockets (Craftsman, Husky, Stanley) that just aren't wide enough inside to fit over the stock tappet. Had to take a 30 minute emergency trip to Lowes, but I finally got 'er done. Get a Kobalt socket for this. You're welcome.

Issue #2 -- 3" Intake/Battery Box
It doesn't fit. Period. Even though it clearly says on the Corksport website that only the ECU cover needs to be removed to fit this intake, I can say with absolute certainty that it does not fit at all. I need the ECU relocation box without a doubt. Had to put the stock intake back in.

Issue #3 -- Intake Mounting Bolt
Due largely in part to the non-cooperative intake that clearly won't fit as described, I actually snapped the intake mounting bolt trying to tighten it down for more clearance. Fortunately, the point at which it snapped still left it long enough to thread a nut on with no bushing.

Issue #4 -- It was bound to happen...
Snapped the solenoid nipple. To be perfectly honest, that little hose was on so tight it'd have taken an act of God for it to come off without the nipple inside it. I'll buy another solenoid tomorrow. Good news is, the hose won't be a problem anymore.

All in all, the day wasn't a total loss. Car fired up with no issues. HPFP done. Once I talk to Corksport to get the intake fitment issue sorted out, I'll be moving on.